SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The 2011 Spalding Hoophall Classic finished up on Monday with some of the best matchups of the weekend. The day began with a matchup of two teams with players whose stock has risen greatly in the last year, and it got better from there. There is plenty to talk about from the games, so let’s get right to it.
Monday Scoreboard
Danvers (MA) St. John’s Prep 62, Chicago (IL) Perspectives Charter School 53
Middle Village (NY) Christ The King 73, High Point (NC) Westchester Country Day School 65
Elizabeth (NJ) St. Patrick’s HS 79, Las Vegas (NV) Bishop Gorman HS 63
Henderson (NV) Findlay College Prep 68, Dallas (TX) Lincoln HS 59
Brooklyn (NY) Boys & Girls HS 47, Bryn Athyn (PA) Academy of the New Church 45 (OT)
Northampton (MA) High 75, East Longmeadow (MA) High 30
Honor Roll
Omar Calhoun, Christ The King: 23 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists
Pat Connaughton, St. John’s Prep: 19 points, 13 rebounds, 5 steals
Anthony Davis, Perspectives Charter: 30 points on 12-18 shooting, 16 rebounds, 7 blocked shots
Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick’s HS: 27 points, 10 rebounds
Derrick Gordon, St. Patrick’s HS: 24 points, 5 rebounds
Steve Haladyna, St. John’s Prep: 25 points, 6 rebounds
Myck Kabongo, Findlay College Prep: 14 points, 10 assists, 5 steals
Savon Lloyd-Goodman, Academy of the New Church: 16 points, 16 rebounds
Keaton Miles, Lincoln HS: 15 points on 6-10 shooting, 13 rebounds
Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman: 28 points, 6 rebounds
Winston Shepard, Findlay College Prep: 16 points on 6-9 shooting, 13 rebounds
Anthony Davis Is Good
Okay, it isn’t really news that Anthony Davis (6’10” Sr. SF-PF, Chicago (IL) Perspectives Charter School) is quite a prospect. But when you see how he carried his team in Monday’s opener, a team where he has little support, you get a different appreciation for him.
It’s not a stretch to call the Wolves a one-man show. Jarred Elliott (6’2″ So. SG) had his moments and Juvon Turner (6’5″ Fr. PF) had 10 rebounds and looks like he has a chance to develop into something, but Davis is the only remote lock Division I player on the roster. Yet the way he dominates isn’t by scoring at every chance. Like a lot of big men, he blocks shots and rebounds, and he’s skilled enough offensively to be a point forward type for this team. He did what he could to involve his teammates, as he had 8 turnovers but many can be attributed to him attempting to get them going.
But that wasn’t all. He hustled, at times saving balls from going out of bounds, and was a key in breaking the press. While his body has a ways to go, he finished when fouled. Quite simply, before going down with an apparent thumb injury late in the game after getting fouled, he was scintillating.
Game Mirrors Career for Connaughton
The other star in the opener, Pat Connaughton (6’5″ Sr. SG-SF, Arlington (MA) St. John’s Prep), was a very underrated player before his stock skyrocketed last July. The versatile, competitive wing is capable of doing a lot of things, but never quite got the national exposure until the big month of July that led to him committing to Notre Dame. Before then, he was known more for his fastball on the mound than the hardwood.
Monday’s game pretty much mirrored his career. He never got untracked for a while, scoring just four points through the first three quarters. Even for some of the fourth, he wasn’t much of a factor. But in the final minutes, he came alive, scoring 15 of his 19 points in the final frame.
For the first three quarters, the best player on the Eagles was Steve Haldyna (6’5″ Jr. SG-SF). He worked against the Perspectives zone well, roaming the short corner for some good baskets. The Eagles did well to get the ball to him in spots where he could score, and he took full advantage with 25 points.
Down the stretch, Connaughton showed what a competitor he is as he led the way. Just like in his high school career to date, he bloomed late and had a good ending.
Gilchrist, Muhammad Play Like They Have Something to Prove
The best players in any sport don’t just do it one time. They prove themselves time after time in a consistent fashion. Michael Gilchrist (6’7″ Sr. SF, St. Patrick’s HS) and Shabazz Muhammad (6’6″ Jr. SG-SF, Bishop Gorman HS) are among those at top of their classes, but each continues to play like they have something to prove. That was very evident in St. Patrick’s 79-63 win over Bishop Gorman on Monday.
Gilchrist competed right from the outset and was terrific in his 27-point outing. He was dangerous as usual in the open floor, rebounded like he always does and scored on the post. In addition, he was 8-9 from the free throw line, and with the way he plays he should get there often.
Muhammad was quiet in the first half, in part due to foul trouble, but he came alive in the second half. He scored 23 of his 28 points after intermission, several coming early on to establish that he was alive. The lefty had a jump hook on the post, a three-pointer in front of his bench as he was falling to the side, and later finished while Gilchrist fouled him near the basket. He looked every bit the player he is reputed to be, and as his body isn’t there yet he isn’t near his ceiling.
The common theme with both players is that they continue to work, and they play like they have to prove themselves all over again. Young players all over should take note, because this is how the best players do it. They do it many times, not just once or twice.
Derrick Gordon is a Winning Ballplayer
While Gilchrist gets a lot of pub, he certainly doesn’t do it alone. A major key on this team is Western Kentucky-bound Derrick Gordon (6’3″ Sr. SG), who does a lot of things to help his team win and showed it once again on Monday.
Gordon isn’t a super athlete, or the most skilled player in the world, although he’s not lacking in either area. But he will get good numbers and more importantly make plays that don’t show up in the box score. He ably defended Shabazz Muhammad in the first half, and later on made his share of hustle plays. One time he dove for a loose ball near press row and threw it off a Bishop Gorman player, then later was right there for a loose ball near the basket and scored off it.
Some players put up big numbers, but aren’t winning players. Derrick Gordon puts up good, not great numbers, and is a winning player.
Bishop Gorman Has a Bright Future
Don’t be surprised if Bishop Gorman plays in a few events like this one next season. The Gaels have just three seniors, two of whom played a combined eight minutes (one didn’t play at all), and they have one of the top players in the class of 2012 in Muhammad leading a host of players who will be back. They will also have plenty of size, just like now.
Besides Muhammad, the starting lineup figures to include Rosco Allen (6’9″ Jr. SF), Ben Carter (6’8″ Jr. SF-PF), Ronnie Stanley (6’7″ Sr. PF) and the one who stands out for lack of size, Gio Guzman (5’9″ Jr. PG). Guzman is the only one of those who doesn’t look like a Division I prospect. Add in Demetris Morant (6’9″ Jr. C), who impressed coming off the bench, and you have a nice group that will be a year older.
Allen started out nicely with a couple of early three-pointers, but disappeared for much of the game until late. Carter showed some range on his jumper and drove through gaps for a layup one time, and was active at both ends. Stanley’s bad game was made worse when he fouled Chris Martin hard, sending the St. Patrick’s guard out of the game. Morant impressed at the defensive end, while rarely getting touches at the offensive end.
The Gaels also have Muhammad’s younger brother, Rashad Muhammad (6’4″ So. SG-SF), who played just four minutes on Monday.
Bishop Gorman is good now, but they’ll be even better next year.
Nick Johnson Can Flat-Out Play
Findlay College Prep is loaded with talent, which can make it hard for one player to stand out all the time. That’s true even with elite talents, and they have had their share. But anyone who appreciates basketball has to love the way Nick Johnson (6’3″ Sr. SG, Phoenix (AZ)) plays.
Johnson, who scored 19 points to lead Findlay on Monday, does a lot of things well. He’s very athletic, can score and shoot, handle, pass, and defend; he’s the basketball equivalent of the five-tool player in baseball. But what makes him so good is how he uses those talents, as was evident in his team’s games here on Sunday and Monday. He complements the skill set with the athleticism, which is underrated, and his excellent feel for the game.
A big part of the latter is that he can alternately be a go-to guy or a glue guy, depending on the talent around him and the way a game is flowing. There are times when he’s not overly aggressive trying to score, but is establishing teammates like a second point guard. In fact, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him play the point down the road as he certainly has some of the tools for the position. There are also times when he seems to hunt his shot, and his selection is excellent.
Since we saw both of them here on Monday, perhaps a comparison is in order. In some ways, Johnson is Derrick Gordon in a better package. Johnson has skills in more areas in addition to being better in just about every area, but both players will have plenty of fans because they can simply play the game and do things that help a team win.
Nash Has Plenty of Talent, Miles Goes to Work
You won’t find many more talented players than LeBryan Nash (6’7″ Sr. SF, Lincoln HS). He’s very athletic, has good size at his position and can score inside or out, all of which will serve him well at Oklahoma State in Travis Ford’s fast system. He showed a lot of that on Monday, but also showed that he can struggle defensively. His frontcourt teammate, Keaton Miles (6’6″ Sr. SF-PF), went to work all the while.
Nash picked up two fouls in the first quarter, but stayed on the floor the entire time. He would finish scoring 23 points, although he was 6-19 from the field, and grabbed eight rebounds. His baskets included a tough finish near the basket, a quick post move to score, and a couple of dunks. But at the defensive end, he wasn’t the factor he could be and not just because of the early fouls. At times he didn’t run back from the offensive end, taking himself out of the play.
Miles, meanwhile, was a force with 15 points and 13 rebounds. An explosive athlete, he was better in the second half than first half but was a constant presence who might at first look more like an undersized power forward. He could stand to get stronger, which should come in due time once he gets to West Virginia, where he signed.
Big Men, Not a Big Impact
Not every team is lucky to have two Big East-bound big men like Academy of the New Church is. Syracuse-bound Rakeem Christmas (6’9″ Sr. C) and Pittsburgh-bound Malcolm Gilbert (6’11” Sr. C) both give them a terrific presence inside, especially at the defensive end as both can block shots and rebound all day long. Neither is known for their offense, as Christmas has improved but still has a ways to go and Gilbert basically can’t score.
While neither big man had much impact at the offensive end, it was also on defense that they struggled. Against a smaller Boys & Girls team, they combined for nine points and 13 rebounds to go with six blocked shots. Either one is capable of getting six blocks on his own against such a team, and the same goes for the rebounding total.
And while their offense is a known issue, they didn’t get the ball much, but that doesn’t mean the guards are at fault. Neither big man demanded the ball, so naturally they didn’t get it much. Christmas also had a little bit of foul trouble.
The player who looked best on that team is active wing Savon Lloyd-Goodman (6’6″ Jr. SF-PF), who put forth a double-double with 16 points and 16 rebounds. He didn’t appear to have the most defined game, but he’s athletic and active and that alone will help him make an impact.
Top Players This Weekend
Media voted on an All-Tournament Team for the weekend (a bit of a misnomer since there is no champion). The team will be announced on Tuesday. Here is how my ballot looked, although a person was not available to collect it before my departure:
First Team
Myles Mack, St. Anthony
Nick Johnson, Findlay College Prep
Wayne Blackshear, Morgan Park
Michael Gilchrist, St. Patrick’s
Anthony Davis, Perspectives Charter (Most Outstanding Player)
Second Team
Shannon Scott, Milton
Dai-Jon Parker, Milton
Shabazz Muhammad, Bishop Gorman
LaQuinton Ross, Life Center Academy
Dajuan Coleman, Jamesville-DeWitt
Close calls (tough to leave off the ballot): Derrick Gordon, St. Patrick’s; Myck Kabongo and Winston Shepard, Findlay College Prep
Other Notes
- Deuce Bello (6’4″ Sr. SG-SF, High Point (NC) Westchester Country Day School) led his team with 22 points in the losing effort. The Baylor-bound wing is undeniably talented and athletic, but at times he seems to play a little too much for show and not enough for effect. Early on, his body language wasn’t great as well after a couple of plays didn’t go well. Later in the game, he made a nice long bounce lead pass that led to a layup.
- Bello’s teammate, Josh Level (6’4″ Fr. SF), looks like he’ll be a prospect to watch. A plus athlete, he was active at both ends of the court, scoring 14 points and grabbing six rebounds. He was 1-7 from behind the arc, so his jumper will need some development.
- Isaiah Lewis (6’3″ So. SG, Christ The King HS) had a nice game supporting Calhoun with 15 points and five assists. He scored several times on drives, using a good ball fake one time to help him reach the basket.
- Chris Ortiz (6’8″ Sr. PF, Christ The King HS) is a solid role player on this guard-oriented team. He had six points and 11 rebounds, something he does often as he’s active inside. Ortiz is rail-thin and thus needs to add strength, and doing so will only make him better on the glass.
- Before getting injured on a hard foul, Chris Martin (6’0″ Sr. SG) was having an excellent game shooting the ball from long range for St. Patrick’s. His reputation as a shooter is well-established, and in going 4-7 from deep en route to 18 points, he did nothing to change that. From multiple reports, a concussion may be suspected but not confirmed.
- Winston Shepard (6’8″ Jr. SF-PF, Findlay College Prep) impressed in his team’s games. He’s a nice combo forward with a live body and the ability to put up double-doubles often, and he continues to get better.
- Hofstra-bound forward Malik Nichols (6’6″ Sr. SF, Boys & Girls HS) was a little slow to get going, as he was scoreless in the first half. But the lefty wing got going when it counted, scoring several key baskets late in regulation and also forcing a turnover after he tied the game late.
